Enns, Johann J. (1860–1932)

Proper Title

Johann J. Enns fonds

Dates of Creation

1917–1925, 1997

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

Biographical Sketch

Johann J. Enns was born September 1, 1860, in the village of Osterwick, south Russia. At the age of six the family moved to the Fürstenland colony. In May of 1882, he and his future bride were baptised into the Mennonite Brethren church. Later that year the two were married. Seven children were born to this family, three of which died young. Johann’s wife, Katherina, also died at a relatively young age in 1900. In 1901, Johann married the widow Anna Wiebe. Five more children were added to the family.

In 1902, Johann Enns was elected to the preaching ministry in Fürstenland and served in the capacity for twenty-five years until the family immigrated to Canada in 1926. The family settled in Drake Saskatchewan. Two years later, in 1928, Johann’s second wife died. Johann also died in Saskatchewan on December 22, 1932.

Custodial History

The letter that accompanies the material explains that Agatha Ratzlaff found these records in her father’s papers, who had inherited them from his father, Johann J. Enns. She translated the genealogical portions of the records and passed them on to the archives in November of 1997.

Scope and Content

This collections consists of a photocopy and a translated list of marriages performed in Olgafeld, Fürstenland by minister Johann J. Enns from 1917–1925. Also included is a photocopy of a page in Enns’ diary where he mentions his baptism.